Shipantuo, Xuanzang’s first disciple, helped him secretly cross the river and traverse the Yumen Pass.
(more…)Tag: Journey to the West
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[Journey to the West] Becoming a Monk
In the novel Journey to the West, the origin story of Tang Sanzang (the Monk Tang) is a dramatic tale of love, violence, revenge, and ambition.
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Pilgrimage to the Realm of Buddha
Over the past two months, we have explored the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Though a mythological narrative, it is rooted in historical events.
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[Journey to the West] Precious Flower Mountain and the real-world parallel
The scripture-seeking team arrives at the Gold-Dispensing Monastery(also translated as the Gold-Spreading Monastery) in the Kingdom of Sravasti, where they encounter Centipede Mountain(Hundred-Legs Mountain) and Rooster’s Crow Pass(Cock-Crow Pass).
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The Offering of Gold and Journey to the West
In ancient China, people often sent goods and wealth to deceased relatives by burning paper effigies and offerings—a practice rooted in the belief that material possessions could be transferred to the afterlife.
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The Apricot Immortal in Journey to the West
In ancient Chinese mythology, plants and flowers can cultivate spiritual awareness over centuries, transforming into demons or immortals. Journey to the West features such beings, notably in Chapter 64, where tree spirits—including the Apricot Immortal—play pivotal roles.
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